NCIS: Hawai‘i Cancelled — CBS No Longer Filming in Hawaii
CBS officially cancelled NCIS: Hawai‘i in April 2024, ending its run after three seasons. This marks the first time since 2010 that CBS won’t have any shows in production in Hawaii.
A Brief History — CBS’s Hawaii Productions Since 2010
Hawaii Five-0 (2010–2020)
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rebooted by CBS in 2010.
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ran for ten seasons.
Magnum P.I. Reboot (2018–2023)
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CBS brought this back, set and filmed in Hawaii.
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It, too, eventually got cancelled.
NCIS: Hawai‘i (2021–2024)
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Premiered in 2021.
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Three seasons, the final airing in May 2024.
So from 2010 to 2024, there has always been at least one CBS show filming in Hawaii. Now, for the first time in nearly a decade and a half, that streak ends.
Why Was NCIS: Hawai‘i Cancelled? Key Factors
Production Costs and Financial Burdens
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Hawaii is expensive. Location shoots, crew travel, housing, transportation—cost of making shows there is significantly higher.
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Even tax incentives could not offset enough of the cost for CBS to justify continuing.
Ratings & Network Strategy
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The show averaged decent viewership (e.g. ~7.78 million in season 3) but that wasn’t enough for CBS’s expectations.
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CBS also had to consider how many NCIS universe shows it wanted in its lineup—and NCIS: Hawai‘i was competing internally.
External Pressures — Tax Credits & Local Economy
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Hawaii has offered tax incentives, but some report they are no longer enough.
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Local businesses and crews suffered once CBS decided to stop productions there.
What Happens Now — The Fallout from CBS Leaving Hawaii
Local Industry & Jobs
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NCIS: Hawai‘i employed between 350–400 people locally. Its cancellation means those jobs disappear.
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Ancillary businesses—casting directors, set designers, vendors—lose consistent contracts.
Physical Studios Now Idle
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Hawaii Film Studio, used by NCIS: Hawai‘i, Magnum P.I., Hawaii Five-0, etc., now sits largely abandoned. Weeds, empty lots, idle soundstages.
Cultural & Representation Loss
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NCIS: Hawai‘i was notable for having the first female lead in the NCIS franchise.
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Beyond representation, having shows based in Hawaii gives visibility to local culture, language, landscapes, and issues. That kind of exposure now fades from TV screens tied to CBS.
Is This Permanent? Could CBS Return to Hawaii Filming?
Conditions Required
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Greater financial incentives from the state (tax credits, grants, etc.) to offset high production costs.
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Lower overall costs of production or co-productions with streaming platforms.
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Stronger ratings justification—something that makes the return on investment undeniable for networks.
Streaming & Alternative Models
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Streaming platforms might have different cost/risk structures than broadcast networks. Could be more willing to film in remote or expensive locations if they see global draw.
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Hybrid models (e.g. parts filmed in Hawaii, some in mainland USA) might reduce costs.
Comparison with Other Cases
Other Shows Filmed in Remote Locations
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Shows like Lost and Hawaii Five-0 made Hawaii a “character” in itself. When they left, it shifted the identity of CBS’s “island shows.”
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Similar to how other networks pulled productions from overseas locations when costs escalated (e.g. taxing, logistics, local incentives dropping).
What Other Networks or Producers Do
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Some studios have moved to places offering generous subsidies (Canada, Georgia, etc.).
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Others opt for built sets or CGI to replicate locations when filming in original places becomes too expensive.
How Fans Reacted
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Mixed feelings: grief over losing a show they liked; anger at abrupt cliff-hanger in final episode.
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Some petitions to “save NCIS: Hawai‘i” circulated—but ultimately, none succeeded.
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Local vs. national: Hawaii’s residents expressed both pride in the work that was here, and concern about the economic impact.
Broader Implications in TV & Entertainment Industry
Rising Costs vs. Audience Size
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Even with millions of viewers, the balance sheet matters more: if cost per episode is too high, networks begin to pull back.
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Streaming metrics (on-demand, delayed viewings) complicate traditional ratings models, making it harder to justify expensive production locales with average view numbers.
Place Branding & Tourism
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Hawaii benefits from its visibility on screen—tourism gets a boost from shows set in the islands. The absence of CBS productions could reduce that media-marketing benefit.
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However, other networks or productions might step in if the locale remains attractive (beauty, uniqueness, existing infrastructure) and incentives get favorable.
Conclusion
The cancellation of NCIS: Hawai‘i is more than just the end of a TV show—it signals the end of CBS having any series in Hawaii, a streak that began in 2010 with Hawaii Five-0. The reasons are complex: financial costs, ratings pressures, and network strategy shifts all played a part. For the people in Hawaii—actors, crew, local businesses—this change hits hard. Culturally, losing a show that helped amplify Hawaiian settings, cast, and voices is also a blow. But all is not necessarily lost. If incentives change, costs drop, or new models emerge (like streaming or hybrid production), there’s still hope. For now, though, the island studios sit quiet, and CBS’s cameras have moved on.
5 Unique FAQs
Q1: Will NCIS: Hawai‘i ever get revived or picked up by another network?
A1: As of now, there are no credible reports or deals suggesting NCIS: Hawai‘i will be revived or transferred to another network or streaming service. CBS cited cost and ratings among its reasons for cancellation.
Q2: How many people lost jobs because of the cancellation?
A2: Approximately 350-400 people employed directly by NCIS: Hawai‘i were affected. That includes crew, technical staff, production workers, and other local positions.
Q3: Is there any show currently filming in Hawaii from other networks?
A3: As of the latest reports following NCIS: Hawai‘i’s end, Hawaii doesn’t have any active TV series filming under CBS. It’s one of the first times in many years that this has happened.
Q4: What were the tax incentives in Hawaii, and did they play a role?
A4: Hawaii has offered tax incentives for film and TV production, but many insiders believe these incentives were no longer enough to offset high costs. Rising costs of labor, transportation, housing, and logistics added up, making productions less financially viable.
Q5: How will this affect Hawaii’s public image and economy long term?
A5: The short-term effect includes job losses, idle studio infrastructure, and less media exposure. Long term, there may be reduced tourism marketing from CBS shows, but if Hawaii can adapt—by improving incentives, reducing costs, or attracting different kinds of productions—it could mitigate damage. Cultural visibility may take a hit, but Hawaii’s natural beauty and uniqueness still offer strong draws.
